TBM Staff - Mumbai
Air India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have forged a partnership to elevate Bengaluru as a premier aviation hub in southern India, aiming to enhance air travel connectivity to and from India in the coming years.
This landmark agreement signifies a significant milestone in the Indian aviation sector. Air India, along with other Tata Group airlines such as AIX and Vistara, will collaborate with BIAL to bolster international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience over the next five years.
The collaboration entails strengthening the group’s presence at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB or BLR airport), by expanding the network and establishing a dedicated domestic lounge for premium and frequent travelers of Tata Group airlines Air India and Vistara.
As part of this initiative, Air India has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish comprehensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at BLR airport. This underscores Air India’s commitment to fortifying its presence in Bengaluru and eventually expanding its global reach to meet the escalating demand for direct long-haul routes originating from Southern India. This collaboration is poised to invigorate the MRO ecosystem and is anticipated to create over 1,200 new job opportunities for highly skilled individuals in the state.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, emphasised, “Airline-airport synergy is crucial for enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. Bengaluru is an attractive market for both origin and destination travel as well as a connecting hub. We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with BIAL to expand air connectivity and establish a major MRO center. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of Air India.”
Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited, stated, “As the busiest airport in South India, BLR Airport is committed to solidifying its position as the primary international gateway in Southern and Central India. This collaboration perfectly aligns with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s vision of developing Indian airports as hubs, reflecting our dedication to enhancing passenger experience. With over half of the international outbound travelers from Bengaluru and our catchment heading to Europe, North America, Australia, and the Far East, our alliance with Air India represents a substantial stride toward this objective. We aspire to capture a significant share of long-haul routes from BLR Airport over the next five years.”
